White Church Alternative Notices Week 43 16.01.21
Dear Church Friends,
Hooray! The sun is shining this morning. Just looking through the window and seeing the sun out making everywhere look brighter makes one feel better. It reinforces how important light is to us. The weather has not been very pleasant this week apart from Tuesday which was the most glorious day with clear blue skies showing us that spring is only around the corner. We had a good walk along the beach to the Lytham end of the lake returning via the path over the golf course and along the road on the north side of the course. It was a cold, crisp morning but best when in the sunshine. The shady parts were still icy and slippery and best avoided, but the warmth and magic of the sun transformed those areas it reached. God’s love is like this. Look for the light and warmth that reaches us when we pray to the Lord. The cormorants were fishing in Fairhaven lake and then standing on the side, wings outstretched to dry in the sun.
These lovely photographs have been sent to me by Anne F and taken on Friday morning before the severe frost had lifted. Do you know where they were taken? What do you think the second photo is?
The new lockdown is tough for everyone, but I have heard that quite a few of our congregation have now received their first vaccine, so that is good news. Progress may be slow, but it is progress. Patience is more important than ever. The roll out of vaccines are our hope for the future and an eventual return to a more normal life when we can meet and socialise once more.
I recently read the following in the first Friendship Book I ever received in 1956. It doesn’t say who wrote it.
Though the road may be hard and the way may be long,
And your heart may be heavy with care,
Yet a song and a smile can enrich every mile
And you’re bound to keep on with a prayer!
We may not always feel sunny but if we can find something to smile at, it will do us good as….
“A smile is the lighting system of the face and the heating system of the heart.” Anon.
Weekly Sunday Worship 10:30am and 6:30pm
Rev Jim and Rev Janet conduct Weekly Worship on Zoom.
The links/IDs and Passcodes are the same each week. Join at anytime before the scheduled start (10:30am, 6:30pm). The morning service will be repeated in the evening.
If you don’t have the joining details, contact [email protected]
Here is another item supplied by Arthur L.
In the year 2007 the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in England and said, “Once again, the earth has become wicked and over-populated, and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save two of every living thing along with a few good humans. “
He gave Noah the CAD drawings saying, “You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and nights.”
Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard but no Ark. “Noah!” He roared, “I’m about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?”
“Forgive me Lord,” begged Noah, “but things have changed. I needed Building Regulations Approval and I’ve been arguing with the Fire brigade about the need for a sprinkler system. My neighbours claim that I should have obtained planning permission for building the Ark in my garden because it is a development of the site, even though in my view it is a temporary structure. We had then to go to appeal to the Secretary of State for a decision.
Then the Department of Transport demanded a bond be posted for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions to clear the passage for the Ark’s move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it.
Getting the wood was another problem. All the decent trees have Tree Preservation Orders on them and we live in a Site of Special Scientific Interest set up in order to protect the spotted owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls – but no go!
When I started gathering the animals, the RSPCA sued me. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodation was too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space.
Then the County Council, the Environment Agency and the Rivers Authority ruled that I couldn’t build the Ark until they’d conducted an environmental study on your proposed flood. I’m still trying to resolve a complaint with the Equal Opportunities Commission on how many disabled carpenters I’m supposed to hire for my building team. The trades unions say I can’t use my sons. They insist I have to hire only accredited workers. To make matters worse, Customs and Excise seized all my assets, claiming I’m trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species. So forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark.”
Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky.
Noah looked up in wonder and asked, “You mean you’re not going to destroy the world?”
“No,” said the Lord. “The government beat me to it.”
I understand the following is a Chinese proverb:
If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.
Answers to the photos.
The first photo is of the 10th hole at Royal Lytham taken from the public footpath and I may be wrong, but my guess is that the second photo is a close up of frost crystals. Don’t they look beautiful? God’s world is a wonderful place.
Let us pray
Dear Lord,
We pray for your guiding light during these dark times. We pray for those of our congregation who are unwell, in hospital or struggling to cope with life at present. We pray for the bereaved, the lonely, the anxious and those with difficult decisions to make. Lord, please shine your light upon them, give them hope and bring some sunshine into their lives again. We pray for all those whose work is onerous and exhausting whilst caring for others. Protect them and give them strength, love and encouragement to carry on. Bless us all during the next week and show us your light through our darkness. The Lord is our comforter. Thank you for being near us each day. Amen
Please join me in saying the Grace together.
May the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God and the Fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and evermore. Amen
God Bless you all
Ruth
